Tuesday, 15 March 2011

All Time Low @ London Brixton Academy (12/03/2011)

     All Time Low, from Baltimore, Maryland were formed in 2003 and released their debut studio album, ‘So Wrong It’s Right’ in July of 2005. Tonight, they play their largest UK show to date, proving that high school kids coming together to play Blink-182 covers can conquer the music industry. All Time Low are rapidly becoming one of the most well-known pop punk bands around, with a little help from multiple airplays on BBC Radio 1, tracks peppered with bubblegum pop and unique musical skill.

     Their fan base appears to be ever-expanding and with fan-favourite ‘Dear Maria, Count Me In’ recently hitting gold-standard sales without ever being played on the radio, proving the worth of frequent touring and faithful fans. Support for this tour is made up of rising stars Young Guns and alternative rock stars Yellowcard. Tonight’s sold out show is a prime example of music fans becoming younger and younger, with most of the room having barely reached puberty.

     High Wycombers Young Guns are first to saunter on stage to rapturous applause, and although they performed admirably, their five song set was somewhat disappointing due to the exceptional standard of their album and EPs. As their stage time ended up being just in excess of half an hour, Young Guns played nothing unexpected, including ‘Winter Kiss’, ‘Stiches’ and ‘Crystal Clear.’ However, aside from three or four rows towards the front of the crowd, unfortunately they failed to whip the audience into shape for the following bands, which, if anyone had experienced them live before, would be fully aware that they were more than capable of doing so.

     Yellowcard graced the stage for just over forty five minutes, armed with foundation melodic skill, and a violin, setting them apart from other alternative bands on the scene. After coming together in 2007, Yellowcard have released a total of seven albums, yet they are not as conventionally successful as headliners All Time Low. Having said that, their set was nothing short of incredible, with that unnamed magic element running throughout, which gig goers yearn for. The pure emotion and power poured into every single song was seemed effortless yet staggering.


 Support: Yellowcard



     Although Yellowcard did vary their overall style initially from punk rock to pop punk, their individuality remains clear and judging by the reaction of the crowd, many people were struck by the same sing-along sensation as I was. Blasting favourites such as ‘Hang You Up’, ‘Only One’ and ‘For You and Your Denial’ showcased the diversity of musical talent and skill in the band, as well as the range of tracks they have composed over the years. I, for one, will certainly make a point of seeing this band headline their own show in the near future.

Headliners: All Time Low


   To be frank, All Time Low had a great deal to live up to owing to the knockout performance from Yellowcard but with a decent combination of encouragement and professional showmanship, with one or two signature jokes thrown in, they played a great show. All Time Low’s stage presence has always been quirky and personal and with frontman Alex Gaskarth erupting on stage with ‘Keep The Change, You Filthy Animal’, it was obvious how keen the band were to develop the crowd’s energy and enthusiasm, enhanced by Gaskarth’s somewhat desperate repletion of ‘...this is the best UK show we’ve ever played’. 


     Although nowhere near rowdy, the audience remained pumped throughout the hour and a half set, chock-a-block with both old and new tracks. The beautiful sound that the walls of Brixton Academy bring to any band instantly boosts any sound already heard, and the projection of ‘Damned If I Ya (Damned If I Don’t)’ illustrated the crowd’s deafening refrain and the awesome mainstream success underestimate the supremacy of pop-based elements to help bands steer their triumphs, as long as a distinctive style is created and retained.


     Crowd pleaser ‘Jasey Rae’ was brilliantly executed, along with ‘Poppin’ Champagne’ and ‘Six Feet Under the Stars’, portraying the variety thrown into tonight’s setlist as well as All Time Low’s uncommon flair with regards to song writing. After ‘A Party Song (The Walk of Shame)’, which, although a great track, marks the bands development as both musicians and people over the years, brand new track ‘Time Bomb’ shook the walls. From the boys’, yet to be released and highly anticipated fourth album ‘Dirty Work’, it, in itself reveals the increased maturity of All Time Low, but I am glad to note that they have not lost their infectious mischievous side.


     ‘Lost in Stereo’, ‘Stella’ and ‘Break Your Little Heart’ render a flaw in the setlist as they are all taken from the band’s most recent release, yet due to an incredible high volume of sales, this is to be expected. Signature ‘slow one’ ‘Therapy’ followed, showcasing the solid flair and vigour that All Time Low boast, along with their positional to generate an atmospheric rasp throughout the set. And after a half-hearted mini cover of Katy Perry’s ‘Teenage Dream’ and ‘Remembering Sunday’, tonight’s encore kicked in consisting of ‘Weightless’ and ‘Dear Maria, Count Me In’, which wrapped up the show perfectly.


     Despite some hiccups concerning track placing in the band’s setlist and being somewhat outshone by breathtaking support Yellowcard, the execution of tonight’s performance was excellent and left fans hungry for the official release of ‘Dirty Work’ in the next couple of months.


4/5

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